Eternal Approach

I recently heard a woman defending why she is a Catholic despite the biblical verses that “born-again” believers give about salvation through Christ alone, by faith alone.

Her defense was based on the feelings of forgiveness she has experienced after taking Confession with her priest.

Similar testimonies have also been given by those who have experienced feelings of forgiveness and cleansing after taking the Eucharist (the wine and the wafer taken during the Catholic mass).

In other words, multitudes don’t speak of their faith in the word of God as the basis of their salvation and forgiveness, but the feelings of forgiveness they’ve experienced as a result of taking part in the Catholic sacraments.

And I’m sure that similar testimonies could be given by those in various “Protestant” denominations that practice similar “sacraments”. As in adult baptism and the taking of the bread and wine during “communion” (or the “Eucharist” as practiced in various Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and other mainline denominations).

“Feelings” is the point here.

Feelings which have replaced faith in the word of God in most churches today.

The Desperate Search for Forgiveness

This is not to say that “feelings” or our experiences are not important in the Christian life. Of course they are!

But this is about where they fall in relation to faith. Because the vast majority of people out there are placing their faith on a combination of things such as Traditions.

As opposed to the Bible.

It’s about how most people in this world have been deceived by their feelings. Even to the extent of missing the way of salvation as they desperately seek after feelings of forgiveness and assurance.

Specifically, feelings they have when observing rituals and /or doing good works. Which is basically Salvation or Sanctification based on something other than biblical truth.

As in, I DO or DON’T DO something – and then I feel good as a result of that.

There are so many directions we could go with this. Not the least of which is the increased emphasis in churches on service, community, reaching out, missions, etc. Which is an emphasis on what we do as opposed to what we believe.

So, this is not simply about pointing out those denominations that preach that we should do good works. No. Their error is related to a false way of salvation. A way based on ritualistic systems and priesthoods which presume to dispense salvation and forgiveness.

Evangelicals also often go astray by moving away from solid doctrinal truth and from faith alone, through Christ alone, according to the scriptures alone when it comes to Sanctification. As in, once again, DO or Don’t DO something and then feel good about it.

The Lord’s Work and Not Our Own

All of this comes back to the simple biblical truth that the Lord alone is able to make us what we should be and to do what we should do. Not our own efforts, dedication, self-discipline, or good works.

All of those things are part of the works of the flesh spoken of in the New Testament. Even those “good works” which we do in our own strength are part of the flesh.

Flesh includes anything that is NOT produced by the Lord’s Spirit. But is instead what WE produce.

So, there are two concerns here.

One, of course, is for the born-again, blood-bought church that chooses to use the methods and elements of the world to do its work for the Lord.

And the other is said for the benefit of the vast majority of people out there who are trusting their prayers, the confession of their sins to a “priest”, taking of communion or the Eucharist, baptism, tithing or other forms of giving, good works for the church, and a million other things people trust in to “be right with God”.

The simple truth is that the Lord is the Righteous and Holy One.

We are Not.

We Should Be, but we are not.

So then, HOW are we to be holy as He is holy? (I Peter 1: 15,16)

How does this actually happen?

The answer leads us back to the blood of Christ shed for us all. Once for all.

One sacrifice for all sins forever. ONE.

“Then said he, Lo, I come to do the will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered once sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;“ (Hebrews 10: 9-12)

The Finished Work at the Cross

The most wonderful truth is that NOW there is “no more sacrifice for sins“. (Hebrews 10:26)

No more sacrifice remains to be given.

There is no need for any continuing animal or any other kind of sacrifice. Nor for the any daily “offering” of the “unbloody sacrifice” of the Catholic Mass. Performed by a “priesthood” system which is never mentioned or authorized in the scriptures.

Since the blood of Christ, Once Offered by the Lord Himself, is sufficient for ever!

This means that we are saved by faith in the Total Sufficiency of the Blood of Christ. Which Christ Himself offered for us. By which we are also Sanctified moment-by-moment as we REST in that Sufficiency.

If we reject His Finished Sacrifice as completely sufficient for salvation, we are condemned along with those who are spoken of in Hebrews. “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29)

This is what a church and a gospel based on faith is all about. A faith based entirely on the Word of God as the sole Authority.

This is in direct contrast to the new gospel that is deceiving so many in Evangelical and Catholic circles today.

A false gospel that is less concerned with doctrinal truth and biblical inerrancy, and more concerned with being nice, kind, loving, and doing good works.

Or in being faithful to Traditions.

In other words, we are watching as a shift is taking place in the core message of salvation. As men and women are drawn aside to a gospel where they must prove their supposed goodness by their works.

Drawn away from Who Jesus Christ really is and from total confidence in His Finished Work on Calvary.